Page 96 of For a Price

There’s nowhere to run or hide. There’s nothing I can do but stand there and be hosed down.

My mind goes to Roman as I accidentally swallow some of the putrid water. The metallic taste lingers on my tongue as I wonder what he would think.

How would he feel if he could see me in this moment, naked and being sprayed down with a hose by some lunatic woman?

He would lose his mind.

Heads would roll.

I know that for sure, even if it feels like I know nothing else in this moment.

It seems to go on forever, the hose-down shower. I’m dripping wet like a frightened puppy once she’s through. My skin’s pruned and my curls are soaked and limp.

“Come,” she says. “This way.”

I’m expected to walk naked through the rest of the room. The electric cattle prod’s still a threat that hovers inches away from me. Should I disobey, I’ll be shocked again.

I could try to overtake her… but at what price?

How far would I make it before the guards she’s mentioned catch me and do worse?

The woman roughly towels me off and then snaps at me to put on one of the robes hanging on the wall. I shrug it on, grateful for some semblance of clothing.

“Next you have an appointment with Dr. Grossman.” She inclines her head toward the door for me to follow.

Dread pits in my stomach when we reach the next room and I see an exam table, stirrups, and devices like a speculum.

“Listen,” I say, swallowing hard. “I don’t know what this is… but I really need to speak to Roman. I don’t want to do any of?—”

ZAP-ZAP-ZAP!

The longest, most brutal current of electricity stings its way through my body. I convulse against the bolts setting fire to every part of me. It travels up and down my bones and leaves me gasping for air.

“No more talking,” she spits. “Last warning before I call the guards. Get on the table. Dr. Grossman will be here any minute.”

The man known as Dr. Grossman is small and diminutive and barely says a word. His voice is gentle and his eyes almost kind, though he makes no attempt to help me. It seems either he’s in no position to do so or he’s accepted this is part of his job.

I’m stiff and frigid during the entire examination.

Pap smears are unpleasant even when elective but having one under duress is five times worse. The speculum stings and I whimper in protest until the woman swats at me with the cattle prod and demands I shut up.

An IUD is implanted despite the fact that I blurt out I’m on the pill.

“Can’t take any chances,” Dr. Grossman mutters. “The Handler’s orders.”

The Handler.

Questions about who this is and why they would want me to have a medical checkup run rampant in my head.

So does my search for what happened to me.

I strain my memory to retrace the moment with Edik for the hundredth time since waking up. It serves as a distraction for the pinching discomfort happening between my legs.

“It will be a Russian lamb and rice pilaf soup. You will enjoy,” he said warmly, casting me a sidelong smile. “And dumplings. Dumplings will be…”

My eyes squeeze shut as I urge myself to remember.

Piece together what exactly happened next. Then it comes to me…

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